Bias Mini Skirt

Show off your curves in this deliciously fitted and flared dress. Completely and nearly invisibly seamless, crocheted from the neck down with virtually no added finishing, this design is a master-class in interior stitch shaping. The soy silk yarn is a narrow knitted tape that can have a slightly crunchy hand in the skein, but goes limp with blocking and develops a fluid drape. In order for the seamless shoulders to support the weight of the dress, the top of the dress is worked in a pattern called Quiver Stitch, a dense overlay of delta-shaped clusters on a solid stitch background. The close-fitting bodice features a V neck and shaped shoulder caps, with optional bust shaping darts if desired. The waist is whittled down as the Quiver Stitch comes to a V at front and back, converting to the underlying solid stitches. Six outlined gores shape the skirt to a generously flared hem. Shown as a short, finger-tip length dress, this design is easily shortened to a tunic or top, or lengthened by adding rounds to the bottom, even after the fact.

Photo courtesy of Interweave Crochet

As for the inspiration for this design, try to imagine the dress in a scandalously short length with a black T-shirt at the neckline and worn with tall black boots. Add the delta-shaped insignia on the chest. Remind you of anything?

Apres Noir Jacket

Ripples in the Stream

Inspired by a design straight off the fashion runway, this top makes a bold lacy statement for any season. It is crocheted from the top down in Tahki Cotton Classic Lite, sportweight mercerized cotton. The seamless lace construction of the body means the curvy leaf pattern flows smoothly from neck to waist with no interruptions and minimal finishing required. With a small cap shoulder, slim body gathered into a wide ribbed waistband at a cropped but adjustable length, this piece works well as a lacy shell or a vest over a shirt.

Valley Cowl

Brown Eyed Girl

Crocheted in sportweight Tahki Cotton Classic Lite, this mesh stitch vest has a sexy silhouette and an easy fit. The shoulders are deeply cut out; the body flares dramatically to hip length in a half circle that is fuller at the front and fishtails a bit at the back; the arrow figures around the hem help to weigh down the edge and give the body a little swing. Wear it with the fronts open, draped in folds; for a defined waist, belt it with the fronts crossed and overlapped at each side or tucked and pleated to meet at center front. E-pattern available for download from Tahki Stacy Charles.

Leaves of Summer Vest

With its deep V-neck, cap sleeves and crossover fitted waist, this pretty vest has lots of stylish flair. It is crocheted seamlessly in lustrous cotton yarn in a simple lace stitch that gives it soft stretch and drape.

Piecework, May/June 2011

Chamomile Cardigan

Here is an example of how beautifully Broomstick lace integrates with regular crochet pattern stitches. Internal shaping is accomplished within the rows of V-stitch pattern to create this completely seamless, cap-sleeve cardigan. It features a soft collar that drapes around the shoulders and folds over to form the open V front, and roomy armholes for layering. The hip-length body is simple and straight, easily adjusted for length. Stretchy and forgiving in fit, this cardi may be worn loosely open in front, or snugly overlapped and wrapped with the narrow No-Stick Broomstick belt shown or using a purchased belt. See the accompanying Beyond the Basics: Broomstick Lace article for tips on working with Broomstick technique.

ok…opened up my Adobe and then clicked on the link and it worked…however I REALLLLLLLY really would like to have the pattern for the Summer by the Sea Shell tunic top….PLEASE>>>>>>. pretty please. thanks in advance.

Glad to find you, Doris.Addicted to hand work I bought a of lot yarns while living in the USA. Now living in Turkey, in the country where yarns and crocheting/knitting is almost every woman’s work I added some more treasury to my collection. Turks have unlimited ideas in design of yarns and textile, paradise for knitters and tailors.I feel overwhelmed with its number. Your excellent ideas are very refreshing and helpful for my constantly changing plans, I feel being lost in that jungle of skeins and ideas. Hope some of my long waiting unfinished projects will get that final touch. Thank you!

Within the last few weeks, I am nearly sure that I saw a top of your design in a crochet magazine that I subscribe to. I get a couple of them and I have gone through every one and I can’t find it. It was yellow and beautiful, and reminded of the blue dress in Crochet Lace Innovations.

If you recently published a yellow top, would you point me in the right direction. I’d like to make it as a gift.

Also, thank you so much for your creativity. You have taught me a lot.

Doris, I’m making Lacy Top from Vogue Knitting Crochet. I love it so far, very pretty! I’m struggling a bit with the joining. The little letters are so tiny and it’s especially hard to read the letters on the gray print. Is there any way I could get a size M diagram so I can print it larger, and do you have more photos of the finished garment, perhaps the back and a close up of the shoulder? Im a big fan of your designs. Thanks so much, Clara

I regret I cannot help you. All materials, including the text, images, the original design sample and diagrams, are the property of SOHO Publishing/Vogue Knitting. You might have a better view of the the text if you are able to work from a digital copy of the issue.

Also, please join us on Ravelry.com where you’ll find pattern support at the forum dedicated to my designs, Doris Chan: Everyday Crochet. Thanks!

I wold like to start off by thanking you for such wonderful creations, however the problem I’m having is with the Indian Spring Cocoon Jacket , It state to special stitch 43 for size med. row two is where the problem start I should have ( 2 edge, 5 shells , 6 Inc. shells) but instead I come up with 2 edge , 6 shell, and 7 inc. shells , can you please tell me whats wrong with this as I need to make this for a function .

Your designs are beautiful. I have been attempting to teach myself crochet over the last year and have been making blankets and toys for other people. I’ve decided I want to be a bit more adventurous and make a dress for myself. I spotted your Rockin’ Red Dress in CrochetMe magazine. I am currently trying to decipher the pattern before I even attempt to begin properly. I am having trouble working out how to create the swatch for the guage. The guage says 12 sts and 8 rnds = 3″ in skirt pattern – but how do I break down the skirt pattern enough to produce a small swatch without having to crochet the whole length of the row.

Hey Madeleine, Are you sure you want to begin your garment crocheting with such a difficult project? “Are you out of your Vulcan mind???”

Creating a gauge swatch is a skill I can’t teach you, particularly here on this blog. Please, join us at Ravelry.com, the fiber site where we play, and a more efficient place for a conversation. Once you’ve signed in (it’s free), jump on the group and forum dedicated to my designs, Doris Chan: Everyday Crochet and post your question there. The posse or I will be along to help. Thanks.

Hi there, I was so happy to find you site as i was looking for helpful hits to block a vest. However I would really like to know how to make the cord at the top of this page. So sorry to hear about Cookie. I enjoy crocheting animals. Is Cook’s pattern available?

Ha Ha! I’ve also just seen the Rockin’ Red Dress, and I just had to comment, Doris, what a classic! And what a great sense of humour you have – I think you should apply for a role in the next Star Trek movie you know, you really look the part! Or failing that, you could whip up some designs for their next leading lady, why not?

I love all the ideas you give. I find crochet a fascinating art, as there’s always something new to learn, something new to discover, and I’m sure there’s still a lot of stuff we still don’t know about this craft. You certainly have inspired me, I love the shapes that you create, the most, I think. Must take a lot of work and er, frogging, probably!

Doris, you are such a star!
Not only are your designs and colorwork to die for, but the support you provide with such closeness in your blog and ravelry groups, are just excellent and to the point!
Keep rocking!

Hello, am from the uk and been trying to get your caleo top pattern it was published in crochet magazine 2012 but I can’t seem to get a copy anywhere. Have you included it in any of your books? I recently purchased your convertible crochet book which am eagerly waiting for. Your help would be much appreciated.

Hey Louise,
Thanks for your interest in this design. I regret that I have no control of the pattern, as the rights belong to the publisher.
That pattern is available only through Crochet! magazine. Unless and until the publisher, Annies,/DRG decides to release it for individual sale, the only way to see it is to find a back issue.
Yours,
Doris

Hello, fabulous designs! Are there any corrections to Soft Sage Circle Jacket I ran into problem at Row 11. Also, is the pattern complete as published – seems to be missing something. I’d love to finish this – it’s gorgeous! Thanks.

Hey Jacquiline, please join us at Ravelry.com, a free social and information site for yarn enthusiasts. Once you’re signed in, visit the group and forum dedicated to my designs, Doris Chan Crochet and post any questions you have about this pattern. The posse will be along with help and encouragement.